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#Post#: 4245--------------------------------------------------
Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: January 19, 2019, 3:45 am
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From frozen Brighouse past snow patches in Durham, the
sustaining hope was that Ainslie Park's artificial pitch would
be playable for
Friday 18th January 2019
Football Nation Qualifying Cup (not as grand as it sounds)
Quarter Final
The Spartans 3 v 2 Tranent Juniors
David Dickinson (Renfrew); Mark Harris, Nelson Silva.
Tranent is one of a number of clubs that. last Summer defected
from the East Region Juniors to join the SFA pyramid, though
retaining their nomenclature.
Mr Dickinson was first seen in 2014, when he did well in a
lively match at Thorniewood, leading JCFC to suggest that he was
a good referee in the making. The powers that be must have been
of the same opinion, as he progressed to Category 1D, being
awarded the Junior Cup Final, which he again handled
effectively, and for this season he was promoted to the full
Category 1 list.
Spartans went ahead on 9 minutes, their speedy number 9
outpacing defenders and shrugging off a push to fire home. The
lead was short-lived, a smart finish giving Tranent their
equaliser. Spartans kept the visiting keeper on his toes, but he
responded with three excellent saves. On 32 minutes defensive
slips by Spartans left the visiting striker racing to the ball:
the striker won and played it into the empty net. Normal service
was resumed with another Tranent save. Mr Dickinson's half would
have been impeccable, but for a strange moment when he whistled
for a throw-in, when neither the assistant nor JCFC thought the
ball had gone out of play.
The only possible blemish in the second period came early on,
when the Tranent striker smiled ruefully at a delayed free-kick
awarded when he felt that he had gained advantage, but as
defenders were closing in on him, Mr Dickinson's decision was
not unreasonable. Spartans failed to take a number of chances
and Tranent began trying to delay matters - their number 3's air
of injured innocence when Mr Dickinson spoke to him being less
than convincing. On 75 minutes, however, the home number 9
equalised with a super finish. The home number 10 received the
game's first yellow, before Tranent had a great chance to
restore their lead within a month, but headed over. The home
side finally got their winner on 90 minutes with a fine sweeping
move. Added time brought cautions for the home number 11, for
messing about at a throw, and for the Tranent number 9 for
something said.
It had been a match which did not test Mr Dickinson too severely
and once again the impression was very favourable - not a
difficult job for him, but nevertheless one well done, with his
lateral movement being particularly strong.
#Post#: 4247--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: Microscopist
Date: January 19, 2019, 9:27 am
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.. But if you should become a stranger
you know that it would make me more than sad ..
Don't imagine you were called as far as Beechwood Park?
#Post#: 4254--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: January 19, 2019, 1:02 pm
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No, but I did catch the build-up and first half on the box. I
thought the BBC was taking a risk interviewing some old Talbot
supporters in the bar, but the language was above reproach.
"Parliamo Auchinleck" is not dead, however, as the commentator's
apology to anyone offended by what they heard during the match
proved.
#Post#: 4256--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: January 19, 2019, 3:22 pm
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Instead I remained in Edinburgh for
Saturday 19th January 2019
East of Scotland League Conference A
Leith Athletic 1 v 5 Musselburgh Athletic
Duncan Williams (Denny); Fiona Morton, Richard Macartney.
Leith are a nomadic side and play not in Leith but at the
University's Peffermill grounds on the Southern edge of the
city.
More defectors from the Juniors, with Musselburgh having a
pretty successful time in the EOSFL.
Mr Williams has been on the radar for some time, but had so far
escaped the distorting lens. He was promoted last season to
Category 1D, so has had some matches in SPFL Division 2. He is
dark-haired and clean-shaven, though a little older than
imagined. AR2 had grown a respectable beard, but AR1 had not
tried hard enough in that area.
After a quiet opening the visitors went ahead on 16 minutes. The
home keeper prevented a second midway through the half, but it
soon came, an intricate move ending with a firm backheel into
the net. A penalty provided the third, number four following all
too easily just two minutes later. Just before the break
Musselburgh lost possession on the edge of the penalty area and
Leith pulled a goal back.
Things had been straightforward enough in the first half, but
one of the home managers had things to say to Mr Williams as
they walked down the path from the pavilion. The response
included "If you would let me speak, I would explain... You keep
on interrupting me...See, you're doing it again"
The second half was a mundane affair, though Leith offered a
little more, getting the ball into thunderbolt to be denied by
Miss Morton's offside flag. There was a yellow card for a
comprehensive trip by a Musselburgh defender. On 84 minutes the
visitors beat the offside line, the home keeper bravely blocked
with the most sensitive part of his anatomy and while he was
wishing he hadn't the attacker tucked away his side's fifth.
It was not a match which required a referee of the calibre of Mr
Williams, who had a comfortable afternoon - give or take the
late drop in temperature. His decision-making appeared accurate
and his general triage sound, not over-reacting to minor
offences. The one complaint is that on his Christmas hanky
delivery, Santa had bypassed Denny - but few would blame him for
that!
Like Dougie MacLean, I know what I will do tomorrow ...but I do
not intend to disappear.
#Post#: 4314--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: January 21, 2019, 3:39 pm
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For the final day of this long-overdue trip, the chance to see
Scotland's top referee in action took me to Tynecastle for
Sunday 20th January 2019
Scottish FA Cup 4th Round
Heart of Midlothian 1 v 0 Livingston
William Collum; Graeme Leslie, Drew Kirkwood. 4thers: Colin
Steven.
Mr Kirkwood's appearance was able to dispel any suspicion that
he might be Stevie Kirkwood's baby brother. The jovial-looking
Mr Leslie had obviously been appointed lest Mr Collum should
feel sensitive about his slightly thinning hair: it could be a
lot worse. Seen on television Mr Collum, while not rivalling
Collina for scary features, had always appeared vaguely
sinister, but in the stadium distance certainly lent enchantment
to the view. Not only in appearance, but in giving a wider
picture allowing the excellence of his movement to shine
through. He worked hard from side to side, unlike some (though
not all) of his English counterparts, who appear to have been
advised to remain central throughout. As such, he was always
close to the action - on one occasion too close for his own good
as he was smacked on the head by the ball.
There were a number of free-kicks for aerial challenges in the
opening minutes as Mr Collum set his stall out, but gradually
the interruptions became less frequent. Hearts initially looked
stronger, without creating much, but for most of the first half
it was Livi who looked the more dangerous side. There was one
minor tussle on the touchline, Mr Collum having a quick word
with the two players, and on 33 minutes a yellow card for a Livi
player for taking out the Hearts winger. In the final five
minutes of the half Hearts came to life, forcing a save from the
Livingston keeper. Another one followed, this time the keeper
leapt and got a hand to palm the ball away, only for an attacker
to fire it home. Spectators all around jumped to their feet
cheering, I noted the details in my book and looked up to find
play about to restart with a free-kick for offside, so the half
remained scoreless.
Hearts resumed in similar vein and a couple of neat passes and a
good shot gave them the lead just two minutes in. The rest of
the game was uneventful, with just a throw given when the ball
did not appear to have crossed the line to note. The subsequent
draw for the next round saw Hearts drawn at home to Auchinleck
Talbot, who can probably expect a better pay-day than would have
been the case at Livingston. (Does their ground still rejoice in
the name Tony Macaroni Arena?)
Hearts fans were not always in full agreement with Mr Collum's
decisions, but this neutral thought he was excellent, always
well in control and showing first-rate judgement throughout.
That might again be the result of a more distant view.
Television close-ups might possibly have revealed some
metaphorical warts - it would be instructive to know what the
commentators' verdict was.
#Post#: 6588--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: April 6, 2019, 5:48 am
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On a chilly evening, it was a trip from Ayr to Kilmarnock for
Friday 5th April 2019
Lowland and East of Scotland U20 Development League Challenge
Cup Quarter Final
Bonnyton Thistle 2 v 2 Kelty Hearts
Sean Welsh (Ayr)
It was a slightly incongruous wee guy who walked out to check
the nets - smartly attired in tie and blazer, but with hands
firmly in pockets and a brisk gait that somehow called silent
films to mind. Once in action he resembled the typical referee
as drawn by a cartoonist - but with no linesmen at all, he
scooted round the pitch at an impressive rate. He was admirably
sharp in his decisions, right or wrong.
From the off Kelty looked the stronger side, forcing a
succession of corners and being on the receiving end of some
crude challenges. It was Bonnyton though who went ahead on 33
minutes, Kelty drawing level six minutes later through a headed
own goal. One Bonnyton foul too many led to the first yellow
card, shown to the back of a player yards away.
Bonnyton forced a good save early in the second period. It was
Kelty's turn for a couple of crude tackles, but Bonnyton picked
up three more yellows. It was not until the closing stages that
the match came to life. A great run from a home attacker ended
with a corner off the keeper's legs, which was followed by an
effort just over the bar. On 89 minutes the home number 9 took
the ball into the corner of the penalty area. From JCFC's nearby
position he looked to be fouled, but Mr Welsh deemed it a dive
and issued what turned out to be number 9's second yellow, with
the subsequent red. Parliamo Auchinleck lives! There followed an
extended tirade of f-words from player to referee. It looked for
a moment as if Mr Welsh was about to be assaulted, but the
player eventually stalked off, still calling Mr Welsh every name
under the sun -excepting any nice ones. A minute later a mix-up
in the Kelty defence saw Bonnyton take the lead, and great was
the rejoicing - until Kelty struck an equaliser in added time.
With young legs on the pitch already suffering from cramp and a
certain scribe's old bones on the sideline suffering from the
snell wind, JCFC hoped that it would be straight to penalties as
now happens South of the border. A home official approached Mr
Welsh, looking at his watch. The first period of extra time saw
Bonnyton have the better chances, Kelty picking up their first
yellow for dissent. Their second came three minutes into the
second period, Mr Welsh deciding that a forward had taken a
dive. At which point time ran out, off went the lights, three
blasts indicated an abandonment and everybody trooped out,
encouraged by the man who wanted to lock the gate. What happens
next? Who knows?
In the end Mr Welsh's manner was perhaps just a little too busy,
but all credit to anyone prepared to turn out on a Friday night
and plough a lonely furrow for doubtless scant reward.
#Post#: 6593--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: April 6, 2019, 3:48 pm
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Saturday 6th April 2019
SJFA West Premiership
Troon 1 v 0 Cumnock Juniors
Chris Gentles (Glasgow); Gary MacLean, Jonathan Rose.
When Mr Gentles followed his assistants out to warm up, it was
apparent that his officiating must be of a decent standard, as
his appearance would not otherwise inspire great confidence. He
and Mr Rose, however, did gain Brownie points for real long
sleeves. As it turned out he kept a tight grip on the game. He
was called into action on 2 minutes, when a Cumnock attacker was
clipped as he surged towards the penalty area. "I never touched
him," claimed the Troon number 4, which might explain why the
yellow card was shown, it seemed, to number 6. The Cumnock
number 5 followed him into the book on 16 minutes. On 26 minutes
Troon netted, but Mr MacLean was flagging for offside.The best
chance of the half fell to the Cumnock number 9, but the
keeper's legs cleared the danger. With no injuries and just one
rapid ball replacement, it was odd that five and a half minutes
were added: Mr MacLean clearly thought so as he eventually
called Mr Gentles for a word. It proved time enough for a
caution for the Troon number 5.
Cumnock created a couple of chances in the third quarter, but
missed both, first lifting the ball over the keeper but also
over the bar, then putting a header wide. Their number 6 went
into the book.on 64 minutes. Troon had not muffed any chances,
by virtue of not having created any, but on 73 minutes a superb
25 yard shot came out of the blue to give Troon the lead. Three
minutes later a bad foul took out a Troon player. The challenge
was high, but across rather than into the victim. A yellow might
have sufficed, but Mr Gentles, well placed as ever, instantly
produced his red card. Cumnock still pressed for an equaliser,
but to no avail. Despite substitutions and injuries, the time
added was less than in the first half, the major event being an
extended lecture for an occupant of the Cumnock technical area.
Mr Gentles moved rapidly if less than elegantly and kept on top
of proceedings pretty well enough. It was a little disconcerting
to see him award a free-kick for a foul, turn his back and trot
away while the players were still entangled, but fortunately
nothing untoward ensued.
It was surprising - well maybe not very - to find the good
citizens of the well to do seaside town of Troon, to be
well-versed in Parliamo Auchinleck. The trampoline stealers of
Cumnock might have been expected to be fluent in the language of
their near neighbours, but seemed more restrained. That may,
however, owe something to the fact that they were on the
opposite side of the field toJCFC.
#Post#: 6631--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: April 8, 2019, 12:27 am
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Next to Cumnock.for
Sunday 7th April 2019
SPFL Reserve League 2
Ayr United Reserves 8 v 0. Berwick Rangers Reserves
Calum Scott; Colin McAlpine, Ross Menzies.
The visiting keeper had to make two saves in the first three
minutes, but was beaten after 9. A brilliant second on the
quarter hour effectively removed any uncertainty as to the
eventual outcome. Three further Ayr goals followed in the next
fifteen minutes. At this point Berwick not only won a corner,
but forced the keeper into a save. Thus encouraged they reached
half time without conceding further.
The visitors actually had a good spell after the break, but a
decent succession of passes allowed Ayr to add number six on 58
minutes.Berwick had a shooting chance from a central position -
and put the ball out for a throw in. A similar miscue at the
other end left the keeper unable to stop the ball spinning into
the net for Ayr's seventh. Number eight came late on, with Mr
Scott calling advantage, or more precisely "Play, play."
Mr Scott is a competent Category 2 referee and had no difficulty
in a very straightforward game. There were a couple of
second-half cautions for Berwick players, the first, after an
advantage, being immediately acknowledged by the offender.
So back to the bus station, for the trip back to Ayr, where a
fish supper cost just a bargain £3.
#Post#: 6635--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: Microscopist
Date: April 8, 2019, 5:44 am
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--- Quote ---
> So back to the bus station, for the trip back to Ayr,
--- End Quote ---
I'm guessing that you took the slightly more picturesque 343
route, I'm sure John Betjemen could have waxed lyrical over the
place names en route. It's difficult to wax lyrical about Ayr
town centre - even the once illustrious Station Hotel now looks
like a giant tent.
#Post#: 6682--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caledonia you're calling me
DIR By: JCFC
Date: April 8, 2019, 1:56 pm
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No, just the 42 via Coylton, Drongan and Ochiltree.
I gather that the Station Hotel was the dangerous building that
limited services earlier and is still necessitating an
alternative entrance to the platforms. I had feared, though it
would have been the wrong side of the station, that it might
have been the ancestral Towers at 25 Gordon Terrace, which was
noted for its sloping floors and shaking whenever a train
passed.
Monday, meanwhile, offered a choice of two reserve team
fixtures. Matthew MacDermid on Motherwell v Aberdeen at Airdrie
was tempting, but the alternative was chosen - Morton v Partick
at Cappielow, with Ross Hardie. On finally getting into the
ground, I discovered that the game had been switched to Parklea
with a 13.00 kick-off.. The players had actually been the ones
seen warming up as the train passed. As one famous Greenock
person was won't to say "I don't BELIEVE it."
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